Sydney Sweeney and Dwayne Johnson have both made remarkable physical transformations for their latest films, sparking Oscar buzz. Sydney Sweeney’s dedication to the Sydney Sweeney Oscar transformation involved gaining 30 pounds to portray professional boxer Christy Martin in the movie Christy.
Her weight gain was powered by an unusual diet consisting mainly of milkshakes, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and Chick-fil-A. Sweeney appeared at the Toronto Film Festival with Christy Martin to discuss the intense preparation behind the role.
Inside Sydney Sweeney’s Boxing Preparation
During an interview at the festival, when a reporter noted,
“I heard you actually got hit.”
Sweeney responded enthusiastically,
“Oh yeah, I loved it.”
Her commitment to authentically embodying Martin’s character highlights the physical demands she embraced in the role, which premieres on November 7.
Dwayne Johnson’s Role and Emotional Response to Film
Similarly, Dwayne Johnson astonished fans with his physical change to portray MMA fighter Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, set for release on October 3. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it was met with a 15-minute standing ovation that moved Johnson to tears.
Speaking to Derek Hough of Extra, Johnson reflected,
“We went into… making this film for ourselves and to discover things about ourselves. and without an attachment to an outcome, a reception, a reaction. you’d never know.”
Jennifer Lopez’s Versatile Role Adds to Oscar Season Predictions
Variety’s Chief Awards Editor Clayton Davis also highlighted Jennifer Lopez’s dramatic transformation in Kiss of the Spiderwoman. He emphasized the complexity of Lopez’s role, explaining,
“In this movie, she’s playing essentially three different roles,”
and continued,
“She’s playing the Spider Woman, the actress who plays the Spider Woman, and then the actress herself that is the dreamlike version of the character.”
Davis expressed his surprise at Lopez’s portrayal, stating,
“You’re actually surprised that it’s even Jennifer Lopez.”
The Tradition of Oscar-Winning Transformations
Sweeney, Johnson, and Lopez could be following in the footsteps of previous stars who earned Oscars for dramatic transformations. Clayton Davis commented on the Academy’s appreciation for such efforts, sharing,
“Academy members have always been attracted to those transformations and they want to reward you for your dedication to the craft,”
adding,
“They’re really shedding their good looks and getting into something that is more raw.”
Notable past winners for transformative performances include Charlize Theron in Monster, Jessica Chastain in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club, and Joaquin Phoenix in Joker.
Anticipating Award Season Outcomes
As the films await their release dates and the awards season progresses, these performances are generating significant interest for their depth and physical commitment. Sydney Sweeney’s Oscar transformation, alongside those of Johnson and Lopez, exemplifies the rigorous approach actors are taking to craft roles that resonate deeply with audiences and critics alike.
